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Show SOUTHERN UTAH STATE COLLEGE, CEDAR CITY THE THUNDERBIRD MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 1989 PAGE 4 TUTOR PROGRAM IS A GREAT BARGAIN Mentor was a trusted friend in Homers Ulysses and was entrusted with instructing the son of Menelaus, king of Sparta. It was the kings desire that his son learn the personal, professional and political ways of the world, and there was no one more capable than Mentor. Today, the lofty tradition of Mentor lives on through SUSCs Learning Center, where students are afforded instruction in topics as diverse as language, music and mathematics. Through the careful tutelage of present-da- y mentors students are provided with the same care that would make king Menelaus envious. On an individual level, all students can benefit from tutoring, even the best students. SUSCs supplemental instruction program has proven invaluable, not only through its obvious function providing the student with remedial support or mastering study skills but more important, allowing for personal enrichment that can only come through a relationship. a Stanford recent to According University study, tutors often find themselves adopting administrative and orientation roles for incoming students. The report also cites how tutors can bridge the gap of isolation many freshman or transfer students encounter. What this means is that the tutor provides the student with important information that might otherwise be unavailable through the formal channels of the classroom including help with planning class schedules or finding affordable housing. Emotionally, the student is given the opportunity to communicate his or her needs, goals or aspirations to another person who has probably experienced the same emotions. On the institutional level, tutoring provides a better return on the dollar than other methods used for increasing academic achievement, such as computer-assiste- d instruction, smaller class size or additional instructional time. Suprisingly, studies indicate that supplemental computer instruction, despite the praise it has received in educational circles, when matched was ranked a distant second in against peer tutoring programs. Because tutoring is an equal opportunity benefactor, not only does the student and SUSC profit, but the tutors themselves gain valuable insight and experience that can only come from helping their fellow students; to many tutors, it is the friendships made that makes their work a labor of love. With so many apparent advantages at no cost to the student, The Thunderbird believes SUSCs tutorial program is the best thing going for those needing a push to get' them over the hump in a difficult class, as an impromptu source of information from the or even a sympathetic ear services, peer counselors we feel, complement our fine school and deserve support. one-on-o- ne Letters Commissioner commends AN OPEN LETTER TO THE FACULTIES AND STAFFS OF THE UTAH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION: cost-effectivene- ss point-of-vie- w can understand the frustration being expressed by teachers in the public schools. We in higher education are all very much aware of our own frustrations over similar budget inadequacies and their effect on our ability to serve the people of Utah. At the same time, we should not We prematurely lose faith in the commitment of Gov. Bangerter and legislative leadership to deal effectively with these inadequacies in the 1990 Regular Session. We The Thunderbird VOLUME 84, NUMBER 5 Editor Rachel Talbot Associate Editor Kathleen Midgley Assistant Editor Lynn Dennett Opinion Director James Spainhower Photo Editor Jeff Dower Copy Editor Greg Prince Arts & Leisure Editor Lisa Keene Sports &. Outdoors Editor Brent Richey Almanac Editor Megan Marshall Senior Staff Writers Heather Cox Jodi Reinard Photo Technician Jerry Whittemore Production Manager Donn Mason Ad Manager Michelle Jensen Ad Representative Jennifer Smart Faculty Adviser Larry Baker The Thunderbird is published each Monday and Thursday of the academic year by and for the student body of Southern Utah State College and is not affiliated in any way with the Colleges department of communication. The views and opinions expressed in The Thunderbird are the opinions of the publications individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the institution, faculty, staff or student body in general. The unsigned editorial directly above is the opinion of The Thunderbird as a single entity. Letters to the editor must be typed and include the name and phone number. Only the name will be printed. Names will not be withheld under any circumstances and the editor reserves editing privileges. Letters must be submitted by noon Fridays for Monday editions; 5 p.m. Tuesdays for Thursday editions. The Thunderbird: editorial offices in SUSC Library 103; advertising in Library 102. Mail at or SUSC Box 9384, Cedar City, UT 84720. Phone (801) 586-775- 586-775- 8 586-775- are reassured by statements of legislative leaders today that the pressing needs of higher education and other State agencies will be appropriately addressed in January. At the July meeting, the Board of Regents adopted a resolution calling on our leaders to recognize urgent needs for renewal of the States investment in education at all levels and preserve needed tax revenue capacity. Together with several Regents, met with Gov. Bangerter regarding our concern. The Governor was both gracious and I emphatic in stating his recognition of the problem and commitment to dealing with it. As he has indicated, substantial one-tim- e reserves will be available for allocation in JanuaryFebruary, and growth also is anticipated in the ongoing revenue base of the State, even after the tax reductions enacted last week. One problem the Governor and Legislature will need to resolve is the effect of the spending limitation adopted last regular session. Public support will be needed to encourage them to change that provision. Faculty and staff representatives from your institutions presented persuasive arguments before the Board of Regents on Sept. portraying the reality and severity of the salary issue. At the October meeting, I will recommend to the Regents a budget request close to double the amount of increase requested last year. The first priority in that request after unavoidable cost increases will be average seven percent faculty and staff salary increases in all nine USHE institutions, as the first stage of a several year plan to close the compensation gap which exists with peer institutions. This reflects a consensus of your presidents that fair compensation is the number one priority problem of Utah Education. We also will ; Higher for . request substantial amounts ; enrollment growth and catchup for instructional libraries, funding equipment, and other support costs. The Regents and I, together with your Administrations, are united in our commitment to 14-1- 5, secure for higher education higher ed recognition for urgent funding needs. We are confident the Governor and Legislature will respond fairly and positively, taking into account the vital role of higher education in Utahs future. All of you will have a vital role to play in continuing to win public support and in making the case to our political leaders ! As we go forward in this campaign, all of you will have a vital role to play in continuing to win public support and in making the case to our political leaders. It is an honor to be associated with all of you in the important work of Higher Education in Utah. Your dedicated efforts have been an example to the Nation. Our youth and adults need and deserve the continuation of this outstanding contribution to their future. I believe the political leadership will recognize the wisdom of improving Utahs investment in education at all levels and respond accordingly next January. Wm. Rolfe Kerr Commissioner of Higher Education |